Code: JFCF- AR
Amity School District 4J
Adopted: 8/24/88 Revised:/Readopted 12/13/95, 05/09/01, 12/12/01, 1/13/10, 8/18/10, 10/10/12, 09/18/19, 4/10/24
Hazing, Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying, Menacing, Cyberbullying/ Teen Dating Violence Reporting Procedures - Student
The building principals have responsibility for investigations concerning reported acts of hazing, harassment, intimidation or bullying, menacing, acts of cyberbullying, and incidents of teen dating violence. The investigator(s) shall be a neutral party having had no involvement in the report presented.
All reports will be promptly investigated in accordance with the following procedures:
Step I Any reports or information on acts of hazing, harassment, intimidation or bullying, menacing, acts of cyberbullying, or incidents of teen dating violence (e.g. complaints, rumors) shall be presented to the building principal. Reports against the building principal shall be filed with the superintendent. Reports against the superintendent shall be filed with the Board chair. All such information will be reduced to writing and will include the specific nature of the offense and corresponding dates.
Step II The building principal receiving the report shall promptly investigate. Parents will be notified of the nature of any report involving their student. The building principal will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five working days after receipt of the information or report. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. All findings related to the report will be reduced to writing. The building principal conducting the investigation shall notify the person making the report within 10 working days of receipt of the information or report, and parents as appropriate, in writing, when the investigation is concluded and a decision regarding disciplinary action, as warranted, is determined.
A copy of the notification letter or the date and details of notification to the person making the report, together with any other documentation related to the incident, including disciplinary action taken or recommended, shall be forwarded to the superintendent.
Step III If the person making the report is not satisfied with the decision at Step II, they may submit a written appeal to the superintendent or designee. Such appeal must be filed within 10 working days after receipt of the Step II decision. The superintendent or designee will arrange such meetings with the person making the report and other affected parties as deemed necessary to discuss the appeal. The superintendent or designee shall provide a written decision to the complainant’s appeal within 10 working days.
Step IV If the person making the report is not satisfied with the decision at Step III, a written appeal may be filed with the Board. Such appeal must be filed within 10 working days after receipt of the Step III decision. The Board shall, within 20 working days, conduct a hearing at which time the person making the report shall be given an opportunity to present the report. The Board shall provide a written decision to the person making the report within 30 working days of receipt of the appeal by the Board.
Reports against the superintendent should be referred to the Board chair on behalf of the Board. The Board chair shall present the report to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide, in open session what action, if any, is warranted. A final decision will be made within 30 days of receipt of the report.
Reports against the Board as a whole or against an individual Board member should be made to the Board chair on behalf of the Board. The Board chair shall present the report to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide in open session what action, if any, is warranted. A final decision will be made within 30 days of receipt of the report.
Reports against the Board chair may be made directly to the district counsel on behalf of the Board. The district counsel shall present the report to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide in open session what action, if any, is warranted. A final decision will be made within 30 days of receipt of the report.
Timelines may be extended upon written agreement between both parties. This also applies to reports filed against the superintendent or any Board member.
Direct complaints of discriminatory harassment related to educational programs and services may be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
Documentation related to the incident may be maintained as a part of the student’s education records. Additionally, a copy of all reported acts of hazing, harassment, intimidation or bullying, menacing, cyberbullying, or incidents of teen dating violence and documentation will be maintained as a confidential file in the district office.